Downtown Annapolis, Alexandria, and Fells Point in Baltimore under water; piers and docks
destroyed, cars parked several hundred yards inland inundated; year-plus frustrations with federal and
personal insurance recoveries for storm damage. What was so different about this hurricane versus others
that have blown over the Bay?
In fact, Isabel was not a hurricane when she arrived but a tropical storm, yet she still caused devastating
damage in the tidal areas of the Bay and its tributaries. Why, with the best hurricane projections possible,
was the region caught unprepared? Why was there so much damage when everyone knew the storm was
approaching and where she would track?
These questions have motivated managers, local government officials, and the scientific community
since Isabel visited in September 2003 and inspired a cross-community conference, “Hurricane Isabel in
Perspective” held at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum, Maryland in November 2004. Sponsored by the
Chesapeake Research Consortium (CRC) and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental
Science (UMCES), the conference encouraged participation by scientists, managers, and many emergency
responders to explore the reasons for the devastating impacts of the hurricane and to discuss openly why
the advanced forecasting tools and preparedness teams were unable to protect property throughout the
region.